Expanding Financial Literacy and Empowerment: Increasing Awareness and Use of ABLE Accounts for Americans with Disabilities

The Administration on Disabilities within the Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is offering a cooperative agreement titled Expanding Financial Literacy and Empowerment: Increasing Awareness and Use of ABLE Accounts for Americans with Disabilities. This initiative is rooted in federal efforts to improve economic stability and independence for individuals with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program is authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and reflects a national priority to address persistent financial inequities experienced by this population. The primary purpose of the grant is to increase enrollment in ABLE accounts and strengthen financial literacy among people with disabilities and their families. ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings tools that allow individuals with disabilities to save funds without jeopardizing eligibility for public benefits. Despite their availability, enrollment remains low relative to the eligible population, largely due to barriers such as lack of awareness, misconceptions about benefits, and limited access to financial education. This funding opportunity aims to address those barriers through a coordinated national approach. The project scope includes implementing a three-pronged strategy: embedding financial literacy and ABLE education into key life decision points, expanding community-based outreach through trusted networks, and launching a national marketing campaign. Activities must include developing training materials, establishing partnerships, conducting outreach, and creating scalable tools and systems. The program emphasizes measurable outcomes such as increased account openings, improved financial knowledge, and expanded system integration. Funds cannot be used for construction, direct financial contributions to ABLE accounts, lobbying, or unrelated marketing activities. Eligible applicants include domestic nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, tribal entities, institutions of higher education, hospitals, and community-based organizations. Individuals and foreign entities are not eligible. There is no cost-sharing requirement. Applicants must submit proposals through Grants.gov and maintain active SAM.gov registration. Required application components include a project narrative, budget narrative, standard federal forms, and supporting documentation such as resumes and commitment letters. Applications are due by August 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, with an optional notice of intent due July 15, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by September 30, 2026, with the project period beginning the same date and lasting three years. Only one award is anticipated, with funding distributed in annual budget periods. Evaluation criteria include project relevance, approach, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. The cooperative agreement structure requires substantial federal involvement, including ongoing technical assistance, performance monitoring, and collaboration with ACL staff. Recipients must comply with federal regulations, reporting requirements, and performance measures. Contacts for the program include designated staff for programmatic, financial, and review-related inquiries. This opportunity represents a significant federal investment in advancing financial inclusion and long-term economic security for Americans with disabilities.

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